Ed Welch's post discusses optimizing metric queries in Grafana Loki to enhance performance and accuracy, with a significant focus on using appropriate query syntax. For versions of Grafana older than 10.2.0, the post recommends using [$__interval] for range queries and [$__range] for instant queries to align with user expectations and prevent issues with data sampling. These practices help ensure that Loki queries data accurately, reflecting the actual count of logs over specified time ranges. The article explains the complexities of handling "step" and "range" values in queries, highlighting how Grafana's automatic interval calculation can sometimes lead to under- or over-querying, impacting the results. However, with the introduction of the [$__auto] feature in Grafana 10.2.0, users can simplify their queries, as this new variable automatically determines the correct settings for both range and instant queries, thereby enhancing usability and reducing the need for manual adjustments. The post hints at future developments that might further streamline query syntax, making it optional to specify ranges explicitly.